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Residency Program at Florida Hospital East Brings Doctors

Published:

December 17, 2007

New Residency Program at Florida Hospital East Orlando Will Bring Much-Needed Doctors to Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 17, 2007 - A recent survey conducted by the Florida State University College of Medicine shows that Florida has fewer doctors than previously thought and predicts a doctor decline over the next five years. To combat the physician shortage, medical education at the medical school level and residency level is more important than ever. And now, thanks to a new Emergency Medicine Residency Program offered by Florida Hospital, there will be more Emergency Medicine doctors in Central Florida.

"Florida Hospital is increasing its commitment to education, patient care, and the physician supply by offering a new residency program that will become a means to recruit and retain the best Emergency Medicine doctors in Central Florida," said Florida Hospital President Lars Houmann.

Florida Hospital and FEP, one of the nation's largest privately held Group Practices of Emergency Medicine, recently received accreditation for an Emergency Medicine Residency Program. The program will accept six residents per year, beginning in July 2008. The three-year program will be anchored at Florida Hospital East Orlando and will also have rotations at Florida Hospital Orlando. Florida Hospital is still applying to the state and federal government for funding for the residency program. Some Florida lawmakers are pushing legislation to increase residency programs and funding in Florida, which falls behind other states in medical education opportunities.

"This year Florida Hospital East Orlando opened a new patient tower to accommodate the growth of the East Orlando community. Now, we are pleased to offer a teaching component that will contribute to a rich supply of Emergency Physicians who will save lives in the community," said Florida Hospital East Orlando Administrator Ed Noseworthy.

In addition to this new residency, Florida Hospital currently operates residencies in Allopathic Family Medicine, Osteopathic Family Medicine including Neuro-Musculoskeletal Medicine, Podiatry, and General Surgery, as well as fellowships in Geriatrics, Obstetrics, Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Gynecologic Oncology.

"Florida Hospital's commitment to offer more residencies is a great asset to the community and to the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine. Future students will benefit from the robust residency programs in the Orlando area, and the community will benefit from having excellent doctors trained in a variety of specialties including emergency medicine," said Dr. Joseph Portoghese, chief academic officer at Florida Hospital.

In addition to the residents, medical students from the region's medical schools, including the new UCF College of Medicine will have an opportunity to rotate through the program.

"The Emergency Medicine Residency Program will train the best and brightest physicians who have a passion for delivering state-of-the-art emergency medical care. We have already had more than 400 applicants for the residency program, which will also become a means for recruiting those doctors who demonstrate the most skill and compassion, and keeping them in Central Florida," said Dr. Dale Birenbaum, program director of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

Florida Hospital and FEP are one of the largest providers of emergency services in the country, caring for more than 300,000 patients per year, and Florida Hospital is recognized by the American Hospital Association as the largest emergency department system in the United States.

About Florida Emergency Physicians, P.A.

FEP is comprised of 23 Emergency Physician shareholders, all of whom are engaged "full-time" in the delivery of clinical services. FEP employs more than 100 full-time emergency department physicians and mid-level practitioners who specialize in emergency medicine.

About Florida Hospital

Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than a million patients per year - that's more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association. The more than 1,900-bed system, comprised of eight campuses and 16 Centra Care locations, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the country for the past nine years.

For more information, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.